[Tropical] Hurricane Local Statement

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Hurricane Maria Local Statement Advisory Number 40
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL152017
1138 PM EDT Mon Sep 25 2017

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR A PORTION OF THE COAST OF
NORTH CAROLINA AS MARIA APPROACHES**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Watch are in effect
      for Carteret, Craven, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Outer Banks
      Dare, Outer Banks Hyde, Pamlico, and Tyrrell

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 250 miles southeast of Buxton NC or about 270 miles
      southeast of Morehead City NC
    - 32.3N 73.1W
    - Storm Intensity 80 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 7 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Maria located about 250 miles southeast of Buxton and is
moving north at 7 mph and will continue on this track
for the next several days with a slower forward speed expected through
Tuesday night. Maria is forecast to move between 100 and 150 miles
offshore of the North Carolina coast Tuesday Night through Wednesday
Night. Tropical Storm force winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 50 to
60 mph are expected to spread along the coast Tuesday afternoon and
continue into Wednesday night. The strongest winds are expected north
of Cape Lookout and especially over the Outer Banks.

The prolonged gusty north to northeast winds will lead to storm surge
inundation of 2 to 4 feet above ground level mainly for the beaches
north of Cape Hatteras and adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound
including Cedar Island, Clubfoot Creek, Adams Creek, South River,
Lowland and soundside areas of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke. This will
produce minor to moderate coastal flooding with ocean overwash likely
in vulnerable spots around the times of high tide. The very rough surf
will continue the risk of life threatening rip currents as well as
beach erosion along all beaches.

Heaviest rainfall will be confined to mainly the immediate coast with
amounts of 1 to 2 inches. This should produce only minor flooding of
low lying areas.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across southern and western portions of the Pamlico Sound,
the middle and southern portion of the Alligator River, and along the
south side of the Neuse River in Carteret and southern Craven counties.
Oceanside storm surge impacts are expected across Dare County north
of Cape Hatteras. Potential impacts in
this area include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across the Scuppernong River in Tyrrell county, the Pungo and
Pamlico Rivers, and the areas adjacent to Bogue Sound.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* WIND:
Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Eastern North Carolina. Potential impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

* OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS:
Large surf will bring a high threat of life threatening rip currents,
dangerous shore break and beach erosion across all Eastern North Carolina
beaches. It is recommended that you stay out of the surf zone.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
For those under evacuation orders, leave as
soon as practical with a destination in mind. Gas up your vehicle
well ahead of time. Be sure that you take all essential materials
from your emergency supplies kit. Let others know where you are going
and when you intend to arrive.

If you are exceptionally vulnerable to wind or
water hazards from tropical systems, consider voluntary evacuation,
especially if being officially recommended. Relocate to a
predetermined shelter or safe destination.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to bring to completion all preparations to protect
life and property in accordance with your emergency plan.

Outside preparations should be wrapped up as soon as possible before
weather conditions completely deteriorate. Any remaining evacuations
and relocations should be expedited before the onset of tropical
storm force wind.

Keep cell phones well charged and handy. Also, cell phone chargers
for automobiles can be helpful after the storm. Locate your chargers
and keep them with your cell phone.

If you are a visitor and still in the area, listen for the name of
the city or town in which you are staying within local news updates.
Be sure you know the name of the county or parish in which it
resides. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to
the forecast.


* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Newport/Morehead City NC around 6 AM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$
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